Friday 29th April 2011
Castleford Tigers 6-48 Leeds Rhinos.
Battle Royal didn’t really live up to its name, in my opinion. Richard Silverwood had an absolute shocker and poor Castleford often had to play against 14 men rather than 13. They should have had two more tries which were chalked off by Silverwood for so called “forward passes”. It wasn’t his finest hour, but I doubt Castleford would have won anyway. Castleford have hit a bit of a slump and need something to “revive” them so to speak. Rangi Chase is still playing brilliant rugby for them and is definitely a contender for this year’s Man of Steel; his tackle on Leeds’ Kevin Sinfield was pretty awesome! On behalf of the Rugby League “family” I’d like to say how lovely it is to see both Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock back from injury, they’ve sparked new life into Leeds and I’m sure their fans are just as happy to have them back too.
Saturday 30th April 2011
Harlequins RL 16-34 Salford City Reds
Salford’s victory in the capital meant that Harlequins are now 8 games without a win. I watched a bit of it and it wasn’t the most enthralling game, I was too busy being a translator (more of that later). Harlequins took an early lead but their defence was, for want of a better word, shoddy. They ended up being 22-4 down at half time. I didn’t watch any of the second half, but both sides’ kickers need a bit of practice, from what I saw. I know there was the London derby match on Saturday between Chelsea and Tottenham, but 1,957 in attendance is ridiculous for a Super League match.
Catalans Dragons 13-12 Huddersfield Giants
First and foremost, I will never listen to French radio again as I had no idea what was going on. Danny Brough kicked the ball straight into touch from the kick off and that was probably a sign of things to come for my boys, Catalans scored. We got two back, only for Catalans to equalise. I’ve seen Catalans’ drop goal and it was brilliant, they probably deserved to win the match on that alone! It was one of the worse experiences of my life.
Sunday 1st May 2011
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 26-24 Hull KR
Wakefield got another win under their belts when beating Hull KR on Sunday. The home side took an early lead and led 20 points to 6 at one point, however Hull KR scored 18 points with no Wakefield reply leaving the East Hull side 4 points ahead with five minutes to go. Wakefield won the match with a Josh Griffin try. The conversion was missed making it 24 all, but Wakefield got a penalty and Kieran Hyde kicked it to win the match.
Crusaders RL 16-48 Wigan Warriors
Wigan thrashed the Welsh side in some style. It was clear from the kick off that Crusaders were never gonna be at the races (at the Racecourse Ground too, how coincidental!) and reigning champions Wigan scored five tries in the first half giving them a 30-0 lead at half time. Wigan scored again after the break before Crusaders got their first points on the board through a Gareth Thomas try and scored two more, but they were fighting a lost cause as the two points had gone Wigan’s way in the first half. Wigan are now level at the top on 18 points with a game in hand.
Bradford Bulls 14-58 Warrington Wolves
This match was another one-sided encounter. I listened to this match on the radio; it’s far easier to listen to a match in English than French, even if it is Ray French commentating. Wire were the much better side from word go and never gave Bradford a look in. Warrington took a 32-0 lead at half time and added to their massive scoreline after the break. The Bulls fans that stayed and watched the game finish were given something to cheer about as their side ran in three tries that can only be seen as consolation tries. Bradford are now five games without a win. Warrington went back to the top of the league with that victory.
Monday 2nd May 2011
Hull FC 24-24 St Helens
Hull started the game full of confidence and went ahead early through a Kirk Yeaman try, followed five minutes later by his wingman Tom Briscoe, both of the tries converted by Danny Tickle. Hull put in some great defence and scored their third try of the match, and Yeaman’s second, on the 30 minute mark. Saints were pretty poor through the whole first half and failed to fire, even the return of Kyle Eastmond didn’t do much for them. Jamie Foster scored Saints’ first points after a great break, he missed the kick. Hull went in at half time with a 14 point advantage over the team vying to go one point clear at the top of the league; I don’t know what happened in the half time team talk. Saints came out fighting, Hull’s defence, which had been pretty good in the first half, fell to pieces and Saints were quickly back in the game, scoring three converted tries in the space of ten minutes to take the lead. Hull were astounded by the come back and, in my opinion and most of their fans too, some 50/50 decisions which could have easily gone their way in another game didn’t. This obviously didn’t help matters but could hardly make up with their poor defence in the second half. Kirk Yeaman completed his hatrick for the black and whites, which was converted by Danny Tickle, with six minutes to go, giving them a two point advantage over Saints. Saints got a penalty and went for the two; Jamie Foster kicked it to level the scores. Both sides had drop goal attempts, Danny Tickle’s for Hull was the poorest of the two as it barely rose from the ground, Kyle Eastmond’s for Saints was charged down by Hull so both sides shared the spoils. Hull need to put in a full 80 minute performance because, in my opinion, it was them who lost a point rather than Saints winning one. This result leaves 4 teams joint at the top of the table with 18 points.
There'll be a slight break in my previews this weekend as it's the Challenge Cup 4th round and there's too many matches to preview! I will try and preview the two matches which are going to be on TV.
Hannah.
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